Accurate diagnostics are the foundation of effective veterinary care. At Norgate Animal Hospital in North Vancouver, our in-house diagnostic capabilities allow us to get results quickly, make informed decisions on the same visit, and avoid the delays that come with sending everything to an outside laboratory. From blood panels and imaging to specialized testing, our diagnostic tools give our team the information needed to find out what is happening with your pet and develop a precise care plan.
A complete blood count, or CBC, measures red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets to detect anemia, infection, inflammation, and blood disorders. A biochemistry panel assesses organ function including the liver, kidneys, and pancreas, as well as blood sugar and electrolyte balance. These two tests together provide a broad overview of your pet's internal health and are recommended before surgery, as part of senior wellness checks, and whenever illness requires investigation. We run blood panels in-house for rapid turnaround.
Digital X-ray provides clear, detailed images of bones and internal structures and is used to evaluate fractures, joint disease, foreign body ingestion, lung conditions, heart size, and abdominal organ positioning. Digital imaging allows us to view and magnify images immediately during the appointment, share them with specialists when needed, and store them for direct comparison at future visits to track change over time. X-ray is non-invasive and fast, and most patients tolerate the process well without the need for heavy sedation.
Ultrasound provides real-time images of soft tissue structures including abdominal organs, the bladder, the reproductive tract, and the heart. It is particularly useful for evaluating organ size and texture, detecting fluid accumulations, identifying masses, and guiding fine needle aspirate collection from suspicious areas. Ultrasound does not involve radiation, uses sound waves only, and is well tolerated by most patients without sedation. Cases requiring detailed cardiac assessment including echocardiography are referred to a veterinary cardiology specialist with a full summary of our findings.
Urinalysis assesses kidney function, hydration status, infection, crystal formation, and bladder health, providing important information that blood panels alone cannot capture. Snap testing provides rapid in-clinic results for conditions including parvovirus, FeLV and FIV in cats, pancreatitis, and tick-borne diseases. Our in-house laboratory allows us to run a wide range of tests on the day of your appointment, reducing wait times and allowing us to act on results immediately. For complex or specialized tests, we work with external veterinary laboratories and communicate results to you as soon as they are available.
We offer a comprehensive range of additional diagnostic services including skin scraping and ear cytology for dermatological and ear conditions, endocrinology and hormone testing for thyroid disease, Cushing's disease, and Addison's disease, progesterone testing for reproductive planning, fine needle aspiration and cytology for lumps and masses, fecal testing and parasitology, histopathology for tissue samples following mass removal, clotting factor assessment, tonometry for eye pressure, lactate testing for critical care patients, and vaginal cytology for reproductive assessment. If you need a specific test not listed here, call us to discuss.
Fast, accurate diagnostics for your pet in North Vancouver. Call Norgate Animal Hospital at (604) 980-2222 or book an appointment online. Our in-house lab means answers on the same day whenever possible.
